Shay Stewart-Bouley, the brain and passion behind Black Girl in Maine Media (including her newly launched podcast), will bring to Knack Factory her celebrated approach to facilitating a conversation about race, racism, whiteness, responsibility and anything else that may come up in the larger conversation.

Conversations about where race, racism, whiteness, privilege, and a number of other related issues can be difficult to navigate and so these workshops are designed to be places where we can feel safe while also being challenged. Shay does an incredible job of making this possible.

We are hosting this conversations specifically for professionals and practitioners in the creative and media community, from free agents to employees, from managers to owners. This way, we can address issues that may be specific to our professional experiences, spaces, aspirations, frustrations, and everything in between.

Doors will open at 6:30, the conversation will begin promptly at 7:15. There will be refreshments and snacks, and beer and wine available after the event.

These are some of our very favorite things made by some of our very favorite people.

Our business is providing creative services for hire to entities of all sizes, in all places. We travel—and virtually travel—for work and for life—much of the time. But we find solace, inspiration, and restoration here, in the state of Maine. We choose to make our permanent homes here. Some of our most satisfying and rewarding professional relationships and collaborations are here and can only be here. We love the smart, clever, down-to-earth entrepreneurs, makers, craftspeople, and adventurers that choose to call this state home. We are grateful for the culture of mutual support that enables small businesses to exist and to thrive here. While what we make every day is fairly intangible (photos, videos, logos, and brand stories) we cannot help but admire the people who spend their days in this place crafting beautiful and substantial things for others to use and enjoy.

We are always grateful for the opportunities we have to adventure and tell stories, but this one makes us extra grateful. Many thanks to Lexie for having us aboard, and to Maine Coast Fishermen's Association for collaborating with us.

This new series, led by ourselves and the Friends of the Presumpscot River, has truly been a marvel to put together. We were honored to be given the task of representing such a beauty of a natural element that runs through many of our own neighborhoods. From driving around dam to dam, to following out fishermen and cyclists, and sifting through microfilms at the Portland Public Library, we had a heck of a time putting these together. There are 8 more to go, so if you are into this one, keep an eye out for the next each Fridayon the FOPR Facebook page.

For our final episode of What's Good? at All Roads Music Festival, we hear all about the new tour van transporting When Particles Collide around the country. Wesleigh takes a tour of the van, inside and out, giving us a peek into the life of touring musicians and their beer-stocked mini fridge. Thanks again to our co-producers at LOMA MEDIA for putting this series together.

It enjoys tens of thousand of views and because we link directly to the item, and we are happy to hear reports from vendors that it collectively leads to thousands of sales. This year, as opposed to featuring vendor photography, we're shooting everything in house with models and a number of great photographers. We're looking to photograph and feature products from across the state. Our overarching goal is to make this guide bigger and better than ever before.

If you have an item you think we should consider, email krysteana@knack-factory.com as soon as possible expressing interest and we'll provide you with more information. There is no cost to participate! Once we confirm that your product will fit well into the gift guide, we'll work together to get it to our studio and will return any and all items once we're done.

The goal of our Annual Gift Guide is to support local craftspeople and businesses here in our beloved state. Instead of supporting billionaire owners of soulless conglomerates, let's work together to feature Maine made products and the people who create them!

There are various factors to take into consideration when going on video shoots here at Knack Factory:

What perspectives should be captured on camera?

What equipment will be used during the production?

What will the narrative of our finished product be?

Kurt Graser, Partner and Lead Video Producer, believes that the most influential circumstance that needs consideration is often one out of our control. The weather, he explains, can often make or break the fluid process of film production.

Weather dependent productions can be tricky, especially when the summer forecast suddenly changes from sunshine to rain clouds. In moments like these, the crew has to seriously reconsider the 5 W’s of the planning process. Most importantly, they must ask themselves, “Is there a way we can accommodate the bad weather into our production, or is it best to simply reschedule?”

A more recent example of this comes from a shoot Knack Factory did in late May, where the forecast of rainfall in Cape Cod posed challenges for filming that was originally supposed to be shot along the coastline.

The project, a commercial video for the company Evenflo, aimed to capture the essence of baby products with the narrative of a family leaving their home for a summertime vacation. Products such as car seats and strollers were to be used, and up until Kurt checked the weather two weeks before the planned production, everything seemed to be working in his favor.

Much to his disappointment, the weather looked terrible. During the time the crew was set to shoot, it was supposed to rain. Hoping that the weather forecast would change to sunshine as the days grew closer, the team waited it out.

On Sunday evening, just 12 hours before their first schedule shot on Cape Cod, our Producer Lindsay Heald called the National Weather Service and asked for a detailed report on the conditions. She was told the storm would only get worse, so the KF team had to come up with a plan and do so quickly.

In that short amount of time, with input from the entire team, we changed the entire focus of the original project to accommodate the weather. Instead of focusing on how to “Embrace the Summer,” it was decided to focus on a more realistic concept of, “Embrace the Unexpected.” Crew members who have children of their own all agreed that this concept is something most parents experience.

Evenflo was more than happy to work with the creative accommodation, but the change in plans presented a challenge to the entire team. The shot schedule changed, shooting locations were rescheduled, even the details of shot perspective had to be changed. The project, which had taken months of preparation, needed to be completely reworked in a matter of 12 hours.

Luckily, Kurt says the entire team worked really well together to make the new concept a reality. He admits, it could have been a disaster, but due to experienced crew, everyone on the team did exceptionally well pivoting fast toward the client’s wants and needs. Instead of shooting video on the beach, like originally planned, they shot at the movie theater, an ice cream shop and at three of the houses they rented for the commercial production.

Kurt says that more often than not, weather plays a super important role in the process of their day-to-day projects. Especially during the summertime, when a lot of clients want New England’s scenic and natural landscape to be a highlight of their video. In the case of the video shoot with Evenflo, the KF production team had to take into consideration how the cold temperatures and dreary rainfall would affect the young children actors and wanted to make sure they weren’t exposed to it for extensive periods of time.

When working in bad weather, particularly rain, the risk of damaging equipment begins to increase. More recently, Kurt points to an example of filming on a golf course. The goal was to shoot content to promote golf training aides on a beautiful summer day, but yet again sheets of rainfall were in the forecast.

He recalls being in the middle of that golf course with Producer Thomas Starkey when a thunder and lightening storm darkened the field. With a strong wind gust and sudden downpour, they retreated under a tiny tent and waited until it was over. Overall, the production was a success, but not without the trials that rainfall cast down on them.

On days where bad weather can make or break a video shoot, Kurt says the team just has to do what they can to make the project a reality. If someone wants to do video on the beach, hearing and seeing rain is not what they’re going to want to capture. So unless there is a creative way to work around the weather, the shoot will be rescheduled or cancelled entirely.

While it can be a nuisance to organize around the unpredictable patterns of New England weather, it poses a challenge that Kurt says all producers will encounter at some point or another during their career endeavors. Like all challenges life throws our way, we must overcome the obstacles before us by forging a path of newfound knowledge, fresh with creative expression and ready for new ways of thinking.

In the video above, Wes took to the streets of Belfast to learn more about those who attended All Roads Music Festival, inquiring about the 2017 lineup, pants, beer and just generally, what's good? produced in partnership with LOMA MEDIA

A few months back we sent our friends from LOMA up to All Roads to capture what's good up there. They came back with, appropriately enough, with a short series called What's Good. The short series kicks off this upcoming Tuesday with a new episode following weekly thereafter. What's Good is presented by us, Knack Factory, and LOMA Media.

We are excited to welcome JP Touchette and Krysteana Scribner to our team as part of our Summer internship program. Thank you to all of those who took the time to apply for the position! We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with these two for the next handful of months.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

JP: I love drumming.

Krysteana: I'm currently a Senior at the University of Southern Maine. With a major in English and a minor in media and communications, it is my hope to tell stories through media production, whether that be through journalistic endeavors or video/audio production.

My favorite food are Pierogies (European dumplings), my favorite place to relax and read is underneath the Casco Bay Bridge at a beautiful park unknown even to most Portlander's and I play several instruments/love to sing. When I'm not biking around Portland with my backpack and camera on me, I can be found studying at the Glickman library, working at Hot Suppa as a Hostess, or sleeping. I love to sleep.

Krysteana: Fidget spinners. I see them everywhere. Their popularity will rise and fall like any other fad in history. I get annoyed by the people who use them in moments they aren't distracted by their phones or laptops. We live in strange times, for sure.

What’s your favorite way to waste time?

JP: Playing video games.

Krysteana: I love to watch pointless comedy skits of "Rooster Teeth Animated Adventures" while eating endless amounts of pasta. It's just a bunch of short, hilarious podcast segments put to animation, where a bunch of bros talk openly about hilarious experiences they've had in life. The videos can't be more than 3-5 minutes each, but after watching several of them... well, you get the gist.

If you had intro music, what song would it be and why?

JP: In the Light-Led Zeppelin... should be self explanatory.

Krysteana: "Reasons Why" by Nickel Creek. It was a favorite song of mine growing up, and it encompasses how I feel about life in general. So very emotional, so very beautiful.

Who had the biggest impact on the person you are today?

JP: Brian Olson, my school teacher and mentor.

Krysteana: My mother, father and stepmother of course. It was the three of them that shaped me into the decent human being I am today. They all offered me guidance and support in different areas of my life and I couldn't express enough just how thankful I am to have them as a part of my existence.

Why are you interested in working in production?

JP: I simply feel good when I produce images and sounds.

Krysteana: There's something calming and relaxing about putting together something you've worked so hard to gather materials for. I could work in InDesign doing layout and edit audio all day. It's also really rewarding to see the final product and show it off to the public. I also love the process of interviewing and gathering the materials needed (such as video and audio content). It allows me to meet a lot of new people, try new things and do what I love all at the same time.

How do you introduce yourself at parties?

JP: With an awkward attempt at a handshake.

Krysteana: With a handshake and a smile. Then, I find a corner to hang out in and people watch.

What draws you to media production?

JP: Emotion.

Krysteana: I like telling stories, regardless of the platform. Whether it be through video, audio or written work, everyone has something important to say and everywhere you look there is a story waiting to be told.

If you could give advice to a younger you, what would it be?

JP: Grow out your hair.

Krysteana: Save all that money you're making working two jobs while in High School! It's not like you have bills to pay anyway. Older Krysteana would appreciate having that extra savings available.

What sorts of things have you worked on in the past?

JP: Short films.

Krysteana: I've done a lot of work in journalism and audio production. I worked at a photography studio for a year, was the Editor-in-chief of the USM Free Press paper for three years, had an internship at the Bangor Daily News and also worked at the Journal Tribune in Biddeford for a year.

What is your favorite movie?

JP: I don't have any specific favorite but the Tree of Life changed everything for me.

Krysteana: I'm a fan of the film Good Will Hunting with Robin Williams and Matt Damon. Basically, any movie with Robin Williams as a lead role is probably one that I'd like.I'm also a big fan of any horror films, but they have to be done well.

What have you been listening to lately?

JP: Cream, Captain Beefheart, Howlin' Wolf, Fela Kuti.

Krysteana: Bon Iver's song, CRΣΣKS. There's just something about it that is melancholic and meaningful.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

JP: Give all the money away.

Krysteana: I would definitely pay off some of my college debt, but not all of it. Just enough to feel comfortable with the impending doom that I'll have to start paying them soon. I'd also give some to my family, as a way to say thank you for raising me and putting up with me for 18+ years. Then I'd probably buy a plane ticket (or several) and travel the world. Also, food. So much food.

Truth or Dare?

JP: Dare.

Krysteana: Truth. I'm more likely to embarrass myself trying to perform a dare than I would answering someone's question, regardless of how personal or strange they may be.

What’s your favorite season and why?

JP: Spring because it's relieving after the mud season.

Krysteana: Early Fall, when the weather's still warm enough to wear summer attire during the day, but the evening chill requires a sweater. It's the best season for campfires and enjoying nature.

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

JP: Hank. I don't know why. I just thought of that. I like that name.

Krysteana: I've always had a deep love for old fashioned names, such as Dorothy or Clara or Joyce. If I had to chose a different name, it would probably be Claudia, pronounced in a posh way like, “clow-dee-ah.” I find the name to be beautiful and elegant.

What is the silliest fear you have?

JP: Deep water. It's terrifying. It's just one of those phobias I have.

Krysteana: Like many people who fear the unknown, I'm afraid of the dark. Granted, this fear permeates even the safest of spaces I reside in. So, if I wake up in the middle of the night and stare off into the direction of, let's say, the closet, I may very well feel the adrenaline of flight mode telling me there could be something hiding in the darkness that threatens my safety, when clearly it's never the case in a home where I check for locked doors several times before falling asleep.

"For me, I've always sort of found that the very act of photography in itself is kind of an act of love. The process in itself, the act in itself, can be very intimate, especially if it's in a studio atmosphere or if you're taking someone's portrait."

"Lobster has been identified with the state of Maine for ages and you can find the word Maine in the names of recipes for lobster going back to at least the late nineteenth century."

Meet Don Lindgren, owner of Rabelais: Fine Books on Food & Drink. You're guaranteed to learn something new in this latest video from our Hard Tellin' series with Knack Factory. Don shares with us some history of lobster in recipes and cookbooks. Here's hoping that dogfish follows in the same footsteps as lobster and bluefin tuna. Watch the video and let us know what you think. Happy Fourth! We hope you're eating lots of lobster and fish this holiday.

"I'm constantly growing. The other day I had to learn a Justin Bieber song. I like old time fiddle, but yet I was working on Justin Bieber because that's what a student wanted. So I'm constantly growing as a human and a musician."

The wondrous Lauren Rioux one of the many amazing and talented musicians we are so fortunate to know. The performer and educator was in talking with us about her role as an instructor at the Ossipee Valley Music Festival String Camp [July 23 - July 27]. She shared with us how teaching is different from performing, and she played for us a song.